{"id":7190,"date":"2013-07-10T08:10:59","date_gmt":"2013-07-10T12:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com.\/?p=7190"},"modified":"2013-09-04T10:39:05","modified_gmt":"2013-09-04T14:39:05","slug":"ask-boswell-7813-edition-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/?p=7190","title":{"rendered":"Ask Boswell 7\/8\/13 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Nats are on a little roll; they swept the Padres and have clawed their way to a mighty 4 games above .500 before looking downright weak so far in Philly. What’s the temperature of\u00a0Tom Boswell<\/strong>‘s chat this week<\/a>? \u00a0Lets find out?<\/p>\n

As always, I write the answer here before reading Boswell’s, and edit questions for clarity\/conciseness.<\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0Is this the turnaround we’ve all been waiting for?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Well, at the risk of being a complete hypocrite (as a couple of my friends accuse me of doing, after basically writing off the team when they were still mired at .500 at the end of June), I’ll stick with “we’re not out of the woods yet.” \u00a0 After winning 4 straight and sweeping the hapless Padres in Washington, we travel to Philadelphia for a mid-week 4-game set where I only give the Nats the clear starting pitcher advantage in one of the four games.<\/p>\n

And sure enough, Dan Haren\u00a0<\/b>gave up 2 early runs to set the tone and the Nats were efficiently shut down by former Ace\u00a0John Lannan<\/strong> in dropping the first game 3-2<\/a>\u00a0while getting just one run in 8 innings<\/a> against\u00a0Cole Hamels<\/strong> in last night’s loss.\u00a0 It would not surprise me in the least to see the Nats lose 3 of 4 in Philly (the\u00a0mano-y-mano\u00a0Cliff Lee-Gio Gonzalez<\/strong> showdown tonight favors the Phillies, then the\u00a0Jordan Zimmerman<\/strong>–Kyle Kendrick<\/strong> matchup that favors Washington on paper .. but Zimmermann has been leaking runs lately and only has 4 quality starts in his last 8 outings). \u00a0Boswell says that “baseball hates a straight line,” I suppose implying that the Nats can get a winning streak together and get back in.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Why are the Nats ownership pushing out Johnson?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Asked and Answered in a previous chat. \u00a0See the\u00a0Davey Johnson<\/strong> question from the 7\/1\/13 version<\/a> of this post. \u00a0Boswell indeed repeats his 7\/1 answer today.<\/em>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q: Who gets demoted to make way for Scott Hairston?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: The obvious and easy answer is (and was)\u00a0Tyler Moore<\/strong>, the only real expendable hitter left on the active roster. \u00a0Expendible meaning he wasn’t a vet, wasn’t out of options, and isn’t hitting .300 playing every day. \u00a0(This move has already happened by the publication of this post, so it isn’t very timely). \u00a0Boswell points out that not only is Moore going to AAA, but there’s literally no room for him NEXT year since\u00a0Scott Hairston<\/strong> is signed through 2014. \u00a0Oops. \u00a0Moore is now officially trade bait.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Why do Baseball fields continue to be irregularly shaped?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Anachronism<\/a>. \u00a0Its the only thing I can think of. \u00a0\u00a0Boswell sort of agrees<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q: Why havn’t we pulled the plug on Dan Haren?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: I’ll give you $13M reasons why. \u00a0But, we’re getting close. \u00a0If the Nats are really going after\u00a0Matt Garza<\/strong> then Haren’s days are numbered. \u00a0Thank baseball for guaranteed contracts, eh? \u00a0\u00a0Boswell proposes a crazy trade proposal: Detwiler, Espinosa, Moore<\/strong> and Giolito<\/strong> for\u00a0David Price<\/strong>, who he constantly mentions as being a guy he’d love to see acquired. \u00a0I don’t see it; Tampa Bay is notoriously difficult to deal with on the trade market and this trade offer basically collects three under-performing MLBers and an injured rookie for one of the 15 best arms in the game. \u00a0As\u00a0David Schoenfield<\/strong> put it in his ESPN chat yesterday<\/a>, this is a ridiculous trade offer from a homer-fan in Boswell. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

For what its worth, later on in the chat someone also pokes disbelief at this trade proposal. \u00a0Boswell defends the trade more on the years-of-control and by comparing Price to the\u00a0Gio Gonzalez deal.<\/p>\n

Q: Why did the Nats acquire Hairston in the first place?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Clearly, they felt like they needed better bench hitters. \u00a0And, they got him. \u00a0Boswell notes his great lefty splits<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q: Will the Nats re-align their rotation post All-Star Break?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Probably; they did minor tweaks last year. \u00a0Unless it results in some ridiculous layoff, you’d have to think they’re going back to the opening day 1-2-3-4-5. \u00a0Boswell says nobody knows<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0According to high placed sources, Cliff Lee has informed the Phillies he’ll waive his no trade clause for the Nationals. Will the price be to high?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Ugh. \u00a0Just go look at\u00a0Cliff Lee<\/strong>‘s contract.<\/a>\u00a0 He’s owed more than $75M AFTER this season (I’m counting the 2016 option that seems very likely to vest). \u00a0He turns 35 in August. \u00a0That’s an awful lot of money to be going to a 38 year old guy. \u00a0And it’d take a massive haul of our thinned farm system to get him, since the Phillies would be full bore into rebuilding mode if they moved Lee. \u00a0Just don’t see it. \u00a0 Yes Lee has been great this year, but the fall-off for guys in their mid 30s can be steep. \u00a0Boswell points out similar facts.<\/em>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0MLB seems to be making a special effort to promote Puig for the final spot, three tweets about him yesterday; none about the other four NL candidates. If they want him that badly why not institute a next-to-last spot for whoever they want to pick for marketing purposes?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Others have proposed reserving an all-star spot for an “Up and coming” player who isn’t on the ballot and thus has little chance of making it. \u00a0That makes sense to me. \u00a0MLB is doing their best to capture the\u00a0Yasiel Puig<\/strong>-mania, and good for them to finally do some aggressive marketing of their marketable stars. \u00a0Boswell says Puig is awesome and then goes off on a tangent<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q: Is Rafael Soriano turning into Don “fullpack” Stanhouse for Davey Johnson?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0Rafael Soriano<\/strong>‘s numbers are fine<\/a>; 2.19 ERA, converted 21 of 24 save opportunities. \u00a0He gives up a hit an inning; not ideal for a closer but not out of the realm of crazy. \u00a0 \u00a0I don’t get THAT nervous when he comes into games. \u00a0\u00a0Boswell says Soriano is underrated.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Alex Rodriguez\u00a0is playing single A ball. Are the Yankees sending him a message?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Did the Nats “send a message” to Bryce Harper<\/strong> by sending him to Potomac (A-Ball) to rehab? \u00a0\u00a0MLBers have to play re-hab ball somewhere; \u00a0dumb question inspired by the media sensationalism that perpetually surrounds Alex Rodriguez<\/strong>. \u00a0Boswell pokes fun at the Yankees,\u00a0Brian Cashman<\/strong>‘s STFU tweet and the whole situation with A-Rod in general.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Do the Nationals over-play music and promotions at games?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: The question comes from someone who clearly comes across as a whiny “I liked it in the old days when we just had an organ at baseball games” type. \u00a0I’ve never gotten that impression at Nats games. \u00a0If you want to *really* see what a fan experience is like with near perpetual distractions and music, just head on over to the Verizon Center and take in a Wizards games. \u00a0They play 95 decibel music DURING PLAY. \u00a0Its just crazy. \u00a0Boswell says that while the PA is too loud, the Nats park is relatively devoid of ads and clutter. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Trade proposal: Clippard and Storen for Cliff Lee<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Two non-closers for a MLB Ace. \u00a0And one (Drew Storen<\/strong>)\u00a0who is really struggling this year. \u00a0Yea right. \u00a0 If you’re going to propose trades, make them at least believable. \u00a0\u00a0boswell falls back on intra-division, CYA blocking reasons for not considering this trade<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q: Should we prevent Harper from participating in the Home-Run Derby due to injury concerns?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Should we block Harper from taking batting practice due to injury concerns? \u00a0Another ridiculous question. \u00a0The Home Run Derby is just BP with the cameras on. \u00a0\u00a0Boswell says its more likely to mess up h is stroke; whatever. \u00a0Everything I’ve read about Harper’s BP sessions show that he’s basically trying to hit it to the beer stands on every pitch<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Q: Does Storen need a change of scenery?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Great question; the full text of the question answers things pretty well; Storen has gone from closer to 7th inning\u00a0Ryan Mattheus<\/strong> replacement in less than a half a season. \u00a0If traded and given another shot, you have to think he’d re-flourish as a closer. \u00a0Mike Rizzo<\/strong>\u00a0has traded closer-quality guys to teams that covet them (see the\u00a0Matt Capps<\/strong> deal) so maybe this could be in the cards. \u00a0I’d always trade in a closer for a position player, since you can “make” closers so easily. \u00a0Look at what\u00a0Ian Krol<\/strong> is doing; all he’s done since arriving as an unheralded AA-reliever is just shut people down; I’ll bet he would make an excellent closer. \u00a0 \u00a0Boswell says the team wants Storen around for the long haul.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: Trade idea:\u00a0Danny Espinosa for Ervin Santana?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: Hmm. \u00a0#2 starter with a 2.93 ERA for a team trying to make the playoffs for …. an AAA infielder who hit .158 this year. \u00a0AND the questioner thinks the Royals would throw in a prospect to make it work! \u00a0Talk about over-valuing your own assets. \u00a0There’s a difference between potential talent and realized talent; Espinosa completely encapsulates the difference. \u00a0Yes we know that he’s a plus-plus defender who can hit 20 bombs from the shortstop position. \u00a0But he has regressed year to year at the plate and now will be lucky to play in the majors again before the Sept 1st callup. \u00a0Why would the Royals possibly do this deal? \u00a0 Thank god this is just a local chat and not one of these national ESPN chats where Nats fans in general would be lampooned for trade ideas like this. \u00a0Boswell doesn’t really even give an opinion on this one.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Your Nats are on a little roll; they swept the Padres and have clawed their way to a mighty 4 games above .500 before looking downright weak so far in Philly. What’s the temperature of\u00a0Tom Boswell‘s chat this week? \u00a0Lets find out? As always, I write the answer here before reading Boswell’s, and edit questions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,5],"tags":[357,632,246,247,983,135,137,223,509,1883,52,162,1024,385,39,43,772,852,434,131,129,1398,51,86,1881,125,1884,235,1869],"class_list":["post-7190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chatmailbag-responses","category-natsgeneral","tag-alex-rodriguez","tag-brian-cashman","tag-cliff-lee","tag-cole-hamels","tag-dan-haren","tag-danny-espinosa","tag-davey-johnson","tag-david-price","tag-david-schoenfield","tag-don-stanhouse","tag-drew-storen","tag-earl-weaver","tag-ervin-santana","tag-gio-gonzalez","tag-john-lannan","tag-jordan-zimmermann","tag-kyle-kendrick","tag-lucas-giolito","tag-matt-capps","tag-matt-garza","tag-mike-rizzo","tag-rafael-soriano","tag-ross-detwiler","tag-ryan-mattheus","tag-scott-hairston","tag-tom-boswell","tag-tyler-cllippard","tag-tyler-moore","tag-yasiel-puig"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7190"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7609,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7190\/revisions\/7609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}